Chapter 37

An Urgent Call from Home The call shook me to the core. I hadn’t visited my hometown in two years due to Ava’s age and Matthew’s packed schedule. He wasn’t comfortable with me traveling alone with Ava, which was why I hadn’t been back for so long.

I held the phone, feeling dazed. A wave of guilt washed over me.

Although I was the only daughter, I grew apart from my parents after college. I turned to them only in tough times, but I had neglected them in the past couple of years.

Assuming my parents were healthy, I cared for Matthew’s parents more than my own. However, the word stroke” changed everything.

I felt panic, realizing what a terrible daughter I had been. They raised me, but I had done nothing for them.

My parents had waited for me without complaint. How could I tell them that my marriage was crumbling and that the family I had devoted myself to was falling apart?

There was no time to dwell. I rushed to Matthew’s office, almost in tears, and blurted out, “Honey, please book me a flight. I need to go home.”

Matthew was in a meeting with a few other managers and looked surprised. He asked, “What’s wrong, honey?”

He gestured for the others to leave and then hugged me. “Calm down and tell me what happened.”

“My mom called. Dad’s sick, and she’s asking me to return quickly.”

Tears fell from my face. I did not realize how much I needed a shoulder to lean on.

Matthew gave me a comforting pat on the back. “Don’t worry. Everything will be fine. Il make all the arrangements. You go ahead while I handle things at work before heading over. My parents can take care of Ava. Please don’t cry.”

Nestled against him, I felt safe. I wish I could have a refuge like this forever.

Matthew told his secretary, Jack, to book a flight for me.

Then he reassured me again, “I’ll take you home now. Bring a few more clothes and necessities If you have to stay longer. Stop crying, all right?”

I remembered I needed to head home and pack. I wiped away my tears, grabbed my bag, and left the building with Matthew.

It was overcast, and the forecast predicted a hurricane. My unease Increased as a storm seemed imminent.

Once I sorted my luggage, Matthew drove me to the airport. His phone kept ringing, and he answered it.

Then he turned to me and said, “I have an appointment to meet Mr. Scott from Modern Metals.”

“Go ahead. I’ll be fine.” I assured Matthew. I didn’t want to get in the company’s way.

“I’ll wait until you clear security,” he insisted, holding me close. “I want to go with you, but I have to take care of things at work. You should head there first. Take care of yourself, and make sure to rest.”

His words warmed my heart, and I wished he hadn’t cheated on me.

“Go on with your work. If my dad’s condition worsens, I’ll let you know.”

“I promise! We haven’t done enough for your parents because we’ve been busy. Spend more time with them. Once I’ve settled things at work, I’ll visit them too.” Matthew’s words were heartfelt and hit a nerve.

I admit that at that moment, I was moved.

“I’ll have the finance department transfer you some money. Don’t worry about expenses. It’s our job to take care of them.” Matthew wiped a tear from the corner of my eye. “Go on, I’ll watch you go.”

I sniffled and turned back several times to see Matthew standing in the crowd. Leaving him was hard, and my emotions were a mess.

When I got to the gate and turned around, he had vanished into the crowd. I started to feel scared when I looked around and could not find him. At that moment, I was rudely woken up from a beautiful dream.